She added that the death of Mr Jozwik had hit some sections of the Polish community hard.

"We're scared to go somewhere, we're scared to go out in case someone waits somewhere for you," she said. "We don't want to be scared. We want to live the same as everyone else. It's hard."

Lauren O'Donnell, 25, of Harlow, is a supporter of the Stand Up To Racism group.

"I wanted to show solidarity with the Polish and immigrant community in Harlow as they have suffered some harassment since Brexit," she said. "It's a very vocal minority and the majority of us wanted to say 'we appreciate you being here', and welcome people into the community."

Adam Cochrane, joint chairman of Stand Up To Racism's Harlow branch, said the turnout was "amazing".

He added: "The crowd couldn't be more diverse. I think Harlow showed its real face today."

A further community event is planned on Saturday in tribute to Mr Jozwik.

In a statement, Mr Jozwik's family said they were "extremely devastated" by their loss.

Polish ambassador Arkady Rzegocki visited the town earlier on Wednesday to lay floral tributes and to visit the family.

Detective Chief Inspector Martin Pasmore, of Essex Police, said while six teenagers "who were perhaps involved in that melee" had been arrested, officers believed there may have been 12 to 13 people there.

He stressed there was no evidence to suggest the incident was a hate crime, but it could not be ruled out.

After the Brexit vote there was a spike in reported hate crimes, and incidents peaked on the day after the referendum.

A 48-hour dispersal order began at 7pm on Wednesday in a bid to keep potential trouble-makers away from the area.

Five 15-year-old boys and a 16-year-old who were arrested on suspicion of murder have been released on police bail until October 7.

A 43-year-old man, also from Harlow, was injured in the attack, and discharged from hospital after being treated for suspected hand fractures and bruising to his stomach.